Practice to involve community in school issues. The case of school as a community center

Main topics to be covered by the lecture:

What is the school as a community center?

School as a community center aims at developing school quality and training of children and young people as citizens willing and able to contribute to their communities. Schools as community centers is a collaboration between stakeholders in the community, parents and the school, focusing on: • supporting the development of children and youth, • improve their achievements, • supporting families and, • community development.

Characteristics of school as a community center

• Schools as community center are considered those educational institutions, which serve not only the school community (students and teachers) but are open and in the service of all members of the community.

• Schools as community center are institutions that establish and develop their work based on the needs of students, families and the community;

• Schools as community center offer a range of services, after school hours for students, families and the community;

• Schools as community center accept together educators and parents as they engage in shared decision-making;

• Schools as community center ensure social cohesion;

• Schools as community center are built on community strengths.

Why it is aimed to establish schools as community centers?

Schools, families and communities today face a common challenge: quality education for children and young people and an opportunity to respond to their needs beyond academic preparation. Children and young people need to know and take a stand on social issues and community concerns. Partnership with other stakeholders creates the possibility establishing and implementing joint projects with themes enabling them to find ways to resolve them and enabling students to contribute to their communities.

Standards of the school as a community center

Best practices to involve community in school issues